By David Paulsen
Correspondent
Losing five varsity starters off last year’s Rock Valley Conference championship girls tennis squad has left some big holes for head coach Tim Nelson to fill this fall.
One year ago, the Whippet girls finished 21-3 overall. To do that well this year, the team has a difficult road ahead.
Among the 32 players out for the squad, only five full-time varsity players and two part-timers return. There are six seniors, 17 juniors, one sophomore and eight freshmen out for the varsity and junior varsity squads.
“I really don’t know where we are going to finish this year,” Nelson said. “Our goal is to work hard and improve the entire season. If we do that then we will get some wins.”
Senior Michala Schramm, who was 28-1 last year at No. 2 singles, will move up to No. 1 singles this fall.
Senior Stephanie Nelson, a two-time state doubles qualifier, will be teaming up with a new partner – Morgan Nathan – this fall at No. 1 doubles. Nathan played No. 2 doubles last year.
Junior Chelsea Niemuth (No. 4 singles last fall) will move up to No. 2 singles.
“(No.) 3 singles and (No.) 4 singles will be by committee to start the year as no one has really stepped up to the top yet,” Nelson said. “The group working for those spots is led by junior Emily Markham, junior Grace Tisdale, junior Alex Cady, and newcomers senior Gina Hollingshead and freshmen Kacie Snyder.”
The No. 2 doubles team will consist of juniors Erika Levine and Dani Dolan. Levine was an RVC champion at No. 3 doubles last year.
The No. 3 doubles team will consist of seniors Tori Samuels and Amanda Mack.
“We have some strength at the top with good leadership and a group of girls that work well together,” Nelson said. “Our weakness is we lost five varsity starters and thus our experience and depth are thin and matches at the bottom count as much as those at the top, so the new players are going to have to step up if we are to come anywhere close to matching our success from last year.”
Nelson believes both McFarland and Big Foot will be strong again this season.
East Troy quad
The girls opened their season Monday at East Troy, but only completed four matches before rain forced postponement of the quad. It has been rescheduled for Friday, Aug. 24.
Schedule
On Aug. 15, the Whippets hosted their own quadrangular featuring teams from Lake Mills, West Salem and Westosha Central.
On Thursday, Aug. 16, the team will travel to Black River Falls for a non-conference dual.
On Friday, Aug. 17, Whitewater will play in the Eau Claire North Invitational, while on Saturday, Aug. 18, the girls will take on Mondovi at Mondovi High School.
Next week, the Whippet girls will host another quadrangular on Monday, Aug. 20, beginning at 9 a.m. featuring teams from Beloit Memorial, Columbus and Catholic Central.
That quadrangular will conclude 14 matches in eight days.
